Georgia Entertainment News has scheduled the Georgia Unscripted Roadshow to crisscross the state and highlight the impact the entertainment industry has on the Peach State.
The organization advocates for Georgia’s entertainment industry and kicked off the road trip on June 22 in Athens. It will continue on its nine-city journey through the state, which includes a planned stop in Augusta on August 23.
“We’re advocacy media, we’re a publication that covers the industry,” said Randy Davidson, President of Georgia Entertainment News. “Our editorial pages are pro the state investing further into film, gaming, music, providing stable and incentivized policy where needed to grow those.”
The tour begins as state lawmakers have begun a review of the state’s tax credit programs, including the Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act (GEIIA). It offers tax incentives to companies to bring film and television productions to Georgia.
According to the state’s Department of Economic Development, “Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act grants an income tax credit of 20% to qualified productions which include feature films, television movies or series, documentaries, commercials, and music video projects. Feature films, television projects, and music videos are also eligible to receive an additional 10% Georgia Entertainment Promotion (GEP) tax credit after certain distribution requirements and agreed-upon marketing promotion for the state have been met.”
“So, there’s an incentive that Georgia gives that other states also give, and we have the best one in the country,” said Davidson. “We’re looking to highlight the benefits of communities having not just film, but having robust cultural arts, music, gaming, community and how that rides along with economic development, how that’s easier for site selectors to get companies to move here.”
Davidson is right, as Georgia does indeed have the best incentive program in the country. Other states have a cap on their film incentives. For measure, California caps its program at $330 million a year, and New York, according to its Empire State Development office, has a $700 million cap.
Georgia’s incentive program is uncapped, meaning that all productions that meet the criteria are eligible for up to a 30% discount on their costs. According to a state report, last year that translated to a film tax incentive of $1.3 billion, making it the largest tax credit in the state.
“Because of Georgia’s forward-thinking policymakers providing incentives to keep those jobs here and to build that infrastructure, we’re now in the catbird seat,” Davidson explained. “We have what other states are all dying to have to diversify their economy. Texas, as an example, recently ran out. Texas and their legislature ran up a major credit that they were trying to give an incentive to get movie productions and things like that. Because smart people know that they can’t live on energy (industry) any longer, they can’t live on Ag (agriculture) as their primary economy. They have to diversify, multilayer their economy, and Georgia has done that.”
Davidson said this roadshow will make the communities realize some of the most important work is up to them. Georgia’s film tax credit gives production companies the financial incentive to come to the state, but it is still up to the communities to find ways to draw attention to what they have to offer in terms of locations, trained crew, and other amenities.
Another way Georgia is leading the pack is the creation of the Georgia Film Consortium and the Georgia Film Academy. GFA brings together Georgia’s public universities, technical colleges, and independent institutions to provide courses in film, television digital entertainment, and other industries.
Augusta Technical College is part of the GFA. It offers Introduction to Film Television Production and On-Set Film Production. The certification program introduces skills needed by the film industry. It also includes hands-on training on equipment used in production.
“Georgia didn’t just stand-up incentives. It stood up a wave to build an employment path and career path for folks,” said Davidson. “So, it was a really smart move to not just stand up a credit to draw up some temporary direct spending on the state. It’s to have a workforce program.”
Jennifer Bowen, film liaison at the Film Augusta office at Destination Augusta, told Augusta Business Daily they are working with Davidson and his staff to coordinate the stop in Augusta.
“Jennifer and her team have a stellar reputation for our productions, knowing that they’re going to get taken care of when they get involved with Jennifer and Film Augusta,” praised Davidson. “Jennifer is the biggest cheerleader that Augusta has and has worked hard to get through COVID, and to put Augusta on the mind of producers and directors to bring projects there.”
Other cities and dates for the roadshow are Alpharetta/Roswell, July 19; Marietta, August 3; Valdosta, September 13; Columbus, October 4; Warner Robins/Macon, October 18; Rome, November 2 and ending in Savannah on November 17.
Augusta Business Daily will update this story when information for local events becomes finalized and how those interested can attend.
